Thule Cartop Rack

Hobiecat · 06-19-2006, 07:44 AM

Anybody know how much the mileage changes when you attach a Thule cartop carrier?

HappyPig · 06-19-2006, 11:34 AM

Mine dropped significantly, from upper-forties to the low thirties, and I even saw upper twenties at one point. My numbers may be an outlier since normally I stow my road bike inside the car and only put the rack system (rack/fairing/bike/bikebra) on the roof when I go on long trips with luggage. So that means the numbers I see are only high speed highway driving with lots of extra drag. Personally, if you have a bike that stays clean (i.e. non MT

, I'd put it inside. After all, it's not a Civic Hybrid with a non-folding rear seat!

Hobiecat · 06-19-2006, 09:27 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HappyPig @ Jun 19 2006, 11:34 AM) [snapback]273411[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Mine dropped significantly, from upper-forties to the low thirties, and I even saw upper twenties at one point. My numbers may be an outlier since normally I stow my road bike inside the car and only put the rack system (rack/fairing/bike/bikebra) on the roof when I go on long trips with luggage. So that means the numbers I see are only high speed highway driving with lots of extra drag. Personally, if you have a bike that stays clean (i.e. non MT

, I'd put it inside. After all, it's not a Civic Hybrid with a non-folding rear seat!
[/b]

Right, that's sort-of what I thought.
We're doing a cross-country trip, camping, etc. I'm assembling all the stuff and I'll try to do a "Pack" to see if everything fits...

Hobiecat · 07-22-2006, 09:45 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hobiecat @ Jun 19 2006, 09:27 PM) [snapback]273783[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Right, that's sort-of what I thought.
We're doing a cross-country trip, camping, etc. I'm assembling all the stuff and I'll try to do a "Pack" to see if everything fits...
[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HappyPig @ Jun 19 2006, 11:34 AM) [snapback]273411[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Mine dropped significantly, from upper-forties to the low thirties, and I even saw upper twenties at one point. My numbers may be an outlier since normally I stow my road bike inside the car and only put the rack system (rack/fairing/bike/bikebra) on the roof when I go on long trips with luggage. So that means the numbers I see are only high speed highway driving with lots of extra drag. Personally, if you have a bike that stays clean (i.e. non MT

, I'd put it inside. After all, it's not a Civic Hybrid with a non-folding rear seat!
[/b]

OK, I re-packed the car and with the seats down, I even can fit the dog crate in! I won't need a top rack!

06-19-2006, 11:34 AM	#2
HappyPig Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lyme, New Hampshire Posts: 24 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Mine dropped significantly, from upper-forties to the low thirties, and I even saw upper twenties at one point. My numbers may be an outlier since normally I stow my road bike inside the car and only put the rack system (rack/fairing/bike/bikebra) on the roof when I go on long trips with luggage. So that means the numbers I see are only high speed highway driving with lots of extra drag. Personally, if you have a bike that stays clean (i.e. non MT, I'd put it inside. After all, it's not a Civic Hybrid with a non-folding rear seat!

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06-19-2006, 07:44 AM	#1
Hobiecat Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wailuku, HI Posts: 18 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Anybody know how much the mileage changes when you attach a Thule cartop carrier?